27 July 2012: Passengers in the Great Western area could benefit from reopening two lines under the next franchise agreement. But we need to do more to make rail franchises work for passengers. The Government today announced what they're asking for from bidders for the Great Western franchise, which covers routes in the south west, Bristol, South Wales, Reading and London Paddington. The invitation to tender (ITT) is asking bidders to price in two new reopened lines - the Portishead line into Bristol and the Bere Alston to Tavistock Line. Both of these are highlighted in our recent paper on reopening links . The Portishead Line is part of the plans by Bristol and other councils for a Bristol Metro (part of their "city deal" with Whitehall departments) and the Tavistock Line is being developed by Kilbride Community Rail . Inclusion in the ITT is another step forward in our ...